Assam: Body Of 8-Year-Old Guwahati Boy Recovered After Falling Into Drain 3 Days Ago

An 8-year-old boy who fell into a drain in Assam three days ago was found dead on Sunday. During an extensive search operation, the boy's body was discovered four kilometers downstream.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma interacts with the parents of Abhinash, an eight-year-old boy who slipped from his father's scooter on Thursday evening and fell into the open stormwater drain of Jyotinagar area, in Guwahati, Saturday, July 6, 2024. (Source: PTI)

Source : PTI

The body of an 8-year-old boy, who fell in a drain and was swept away three days ago in Guwahati, was recovered on Sunday morning.

The body, recovered about 4 km downstream in Rajgarh area, was identified by his parents at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where it was taken after being retrieved. A post-mortem examination was conducted and DNA samples were collected for further testing.

As per the report of India Today, Abhinash slipped from his scooter of his father while riding home in heavy rain on Thursday evening in the Jyotinagar area. Despite Hiralal's multiple attempts to save him, the current swept Abhinash away. Since then, his parents had remained at the search site, hoping to find him alive.

A large search operation was initiated to locate the boy, involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and other agencies. During the search operation sniffer dogs, excavators, and other required equipment were also utilised to scour the storm drain.

The body of the boy was eventually found in the Rajgarh area, more than four kilometers downstream from where he had fallen, a police officer said.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed condolences for the death of the boy and thanked the rescuers. He paid his visit to the search area on Saturday. "Deeply pained! With a heavy heart, we have learned that the child's body has been found. My deepest condolences go out to his parents and family during this unimaginable time. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated personnel of the NDRF, SDRF, Police, and District Administration for their tireless efforts in the search and rescue operations," he wrote on his social media handle X.

Deeply pained! 🙏

With a heavy heart, we have learnt that the child's body has been found. My deepest condolences go out to his parents and family during this unimaginable time. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated personnel of the NDRF, SDRF, Police, and… https://t.co/x9ZoFsBWYv

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 7, 2024

On Saturday, Sarma paid his visit to Jyotinagar, consoled the grieving parents, and requested them to return home while assuring them that the search would continue. He also offered support to the family and stressed that “we should prepare them to face the harsh truth”.

“We should all ensure that they [parents] return home and prepare them to face the harsh truth. If something were to happen to the parents now, we would not be able to forgive ourselves,” the Chief Minister said on Saturday night, India Today reported.

During the operations, rescuers had indicated that the boy might have been carried further downstream from the initial point of the incident. They mapped the flow and searched by removing concrete slabs in the downstream areas.

Sarma dismissed allegations of government negligence, stating that issues are inevitable in a large city like Guwahati, but his administration is always ready to address them as they arise.